Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe

If perfectly-cooked, tender beans are what you’re craving, you’ll want to check out our Instant Pot black beans recipe.

Using the high-pressure cooking method, these black beans are made with minimal active time and effort. They hold their shape marvelously and retain their creamy yet firm inside texture without breaking or becoming mushy.

Instant Pot black beans are super adaptable and can be easily incorporated into any kind of meal — as a side dish, an appetizer, or a hearty filling for wraps. They are also the perfect ingredient for meal-prepping during busy weeks and for National Eat Your Beans Day (July 3rd)!

Is This Instant Pot Black Beans Healthy?

Absolutely.

Black beans are small, shiny legumes known for their dense texture and earthy flavors. They are also called “turtle beans” or “black turtle beans”.

Black beans are native to the Americans and can be found in many cuisines, including Latin American, Mexican, and Cuban. They are a cultural staple across South America.

Nowadays, black beans are seen as a versatile and healthy ingredient in various types of dishes worldwide. Known for their hearty, creamy taste, they’re considered a low-cost yet highly-nutritious superfood by many dieters.

Being an excellent source of plant-based protein, soluble fiber, and antioxidants, black beans are also low-fat, vegan, and gluten-free.

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Here are just a few benefits of adding black beans to your diet. Black beans can:

• Support digestive function, help your body absorb nutrients and aid weight loss.
• Improve blood sugar control and lower the levels of “bad” cholesterol in your blood, thus reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
• Prevent the risk of certain types of cancer, including stomach, kidney, colon, breast, and prostate cancers.
• Improve eye health by protecting against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Black Beans vs. Pinto Beans

Both black beans and pinto beans are hearty, nutritious, and versatile in various types of dishes. But a few characteristics make them distinct from one another.

1. Appearances

Black beans are small, oval-shaped, and almost entirely black on the exterior. Their centers are creamy-white colored kernels.

Pinto beans, on the other hand, are larger in size and are brownish or light-caramel colored with white speckles.

Black beans remain black even when cooked, while pinto beans lose some of their dark brown pigments and get pinker after exposure to high heat.

2. Texture & Taste

Compared with pinto beans, black beans are firmer and have a nuttier flavor. After cooking, their texture becomes dense, similar to that of a mushroom.

Black beans can hold their shape and resist moisture when cooked in high-heat. They’re sturdier than pinto beans in general.

Softer and more susceptible to moisture than black beans, pinto beans require less cooking time as they’re more likely to turn mushy or watery in high temperatures. When mashed, they have a similar texture to boiled potatoes.

While black beans offer a starchier feel, pinto beans are slightly earthier and mushier.

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3. Nutrients

Both black beans and pinto beans are low-fat, low-calorie, and great plant-based sources of protein and dietary fiber. They’re also both packed with a wide range of essential vitamins and nutrients.

Nevertheless, dry black beans come with larger amounts of macronutrients and vitamin B-6 than their light brown counterparts. Dry pinto beans are significantly higher in sodium.

4. Uses

Both types of bean are staple ingredients in many Latin American dishes. They offer rich amounts of protein and fiber and can be used as meat replacements or served with rice and meat as a side.

However, due to the difference in texture, each is best used in distinct types of dishes.

Black beans are commonly served as a side to rice or added into chili (Ground Chicken Chili), soup (Chicken Tortilla Soup), or even a salad (Corn Black Bean Salad) due to their thickness and density. Popular throughout South America, they are used in many Brazilian dishes, including its national dish, “Feijoada.”

Creamy pinto beans on the other hand are most commonly used in spreads as well as wraps, mashed dips, and refried beans. You can compare the two types of beans yourself and choose your favorite by checking out our Instant Pot pinto beans recipe.

How to Prepare Black Beans for This Recipe

When buying dry black beans, first, make sure they’re fresh and whole, not moist or leaking liquids. They should not be dry, cracked, or chalky.

Dry black beans taste better and are cheaper than canned ones. They can keep for up to 2-3 years without losing nutrients if stored in a cool, dry, dark place.

Black beans can cook much faster in the Instant Pot than on the stovetop, so soaking them before cooking is optional.

However, pre-soaking dry black beans, if possible, can bring certain benefits, such as removing tannin and phytic acid on the exterior. These substances are hard to cook, and removing them may help your body absorb the minerals in the beans better.

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How Long to Soak Black Beans?

To soak dry beans, first prepare a large bowl of hot water (following the ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part dry beans). Soak them for a maximum of 2 hours, then drain the excess water.

You can also soak beans in cool, filtered water and store them overnight in the fridge. During soaking, the beans will triple in size, so you may need to use an extra-large soaking bowl or boiling pot.

If the beans are not soaked, be sure to rinse and drain them well before cooking. Consider picking over them to remove small stones and debris that may be contained in the bag.

Can Cooked Black Beans Be Frozen?

Yes, cooked black beans are very freezer-friendly. They are also ideal for meal-prepping. Cook a large batch and portion it into individual servings for easy meals throughout the week.

Kept in a sealed container, cooked black beans can stay fresh for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Frozen, they’ll remain edible for up to 3 months.

We advise letting the beans cool down completely before storing them to preserve their optimal freshness.

How to Serve

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Any Latin-inspired dish can be paired with this Instant Pot black beans. Here are some tasty ideas:

• Serve with brown rice or tortilla chips
• Add to scrambled eggs, guacamole, sour cream, or salsa
• Add to soups and stews like this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe.
• Spread on toasted bread
• Fill in burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, and tacos
• Add to fried dishes or protein salads
• Eat them straight out of the pot!

Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe

5 from 1 vote

This Instant Pot black beans recipe requires 45 minutes of high-pressure cooking for a large batch of beans that can be served throughout the whole week. It takes just 6 steps (and most of the heavy lifting is done by the Instant Pot!)

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• cook TIME 45 mins
• prep TIME 5 mins
• total TIME 2 hr 50 mins
• INACTIVE TIME 2 hr

• COURSE Side Dish
• CUISINE American, Mexican
• SERVINGS
  4

  servings
• CALORIES 232 kcal

INGREDIENTS

1x2x3x

• 8 oz black beans
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic (minced)
• 2 oz onion (diced)
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 6 cups hot water (3 cups for soaking)
• 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

INSTRUCTIONS

Image instructions

1

Soak the black beans in 3 cups hot water for 2 hours. Drain them and set them aside.

2

Add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp garlic, and 2 oz onion to the Instant Pot. Sauté for 2 minutes on the “Sauté” setting until fragrant.

3

Turn to “Meat/Stew” mode. Add 8 oz black beans and 3 cups hot water to the Instant Pot. Cover and seal the lid. Set the pressure release valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.

4

Allow the steam to release by turning the venting knob to the venting position. After the steam has fully escaped, carefully open the lid.

5

Set the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode. Continue to add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp oregano, and 1 tsp lime juice to brighten up the flavors. Cook for 10 more minutes.

6

Remove the bay leaf (There is no need to drain liquid). Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped cilantro. Divide into single portions and serve hot.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 232Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g

6%

Saturated Fat 1g

6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Sodium 295mg

13%

Potassium 875mg

25%

Carbohydrate 37g

12%

Fiber 9g

38%

Sugar 2g

2%

Protein 13g

26%

Vitamin A 32IU

1%

Vitamin C 2mg

2%

Calcium 81mg

8%

Iron 3mg

17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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